Moyes is cut from the same cloth as retiring United icon Ferguson, the man from the opposite end of the Clyde tunnel

David Moyes was sitting uncomfortably in his seat. A meeting room at the Gleneagles hotel was packed with football’s great and good and Moyes had a duty to share his philosophies with them.

Normally it wouldn’t have been a problem but, on this occasion, in the summer of 2008, he had to speak after Gerard Houllier and Sir Alex Ferguson. Houllier explained why his beliefs were based around pressure and power; Ferguson told why he built foundations speed, stealth and style.

The audience had hung on every word and then the microphone was handed to Moyes. Andy Roxburgh, the former Scotland manager who had organised the seminar, asked the first question: 'how do you want your teams to play, David?'

Biggest job in football? David Moyes has similar qualities to the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson

Moyes thought for a moment and then, to universal approval, said the words that separate success and failure: 'I like to win'.

There is nothing flash about the way Moyes speaks or extravagant about the way he acts. He is not someone who will try and blind you with science or use 1,000 words when a few will do. He is loyal, realistic, honest and driven – all traits that would have been used to describe Ferguson in 1986.

The men two men are cut from similar cloths. Ferguson, of course, is Govan’s most famous son, whereas Moyes hails from Partick, which – in his words – is 'at opposite ends of the Clyde tunnel'; they don’t suffer fools, knowing the values of hard graft and the rewards it brings.

Answering the call? Moyes enters Bill Kenwright's offices in London

Some will wonder why Manchester United
have chosen Moyes to fill the post vacated by Ferguson but a lack of
silverware should not be confused with a lack of success. His role in
reviving Everton from a slumber that once threatened their top flight
existence has been monumental.

It should be noted, at this point, exactly where Everton were when he walked into Goodison Park in March 2002. Embroiled in a relegation battle for the third time in eight years, they could easily have slipped through the trapdoor. It was very much a case of sink or swim.

Over the past 11 years, Moyes has not only kept Everton’s head above water, he has got them into a position where fans now regard not finishing in Europe as a failure. With the revenue Everton generate, they should not be in the top six; that they regularly are is a testament to his work.

‘What he has often done is sat down and told me what he believes is going to happen,’

Master and apprentice: Moyes appears to be Sir Alex Ferguson's most natural successor

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, who
forged a unique relationship with him, once said. ‘He plans things
meticulously. He gives 24 hours a day, seven days a week to this
football club – you just ask his wife!

‘In life, there is a path that you want to go on and David’s path is absolute, total commitment to this football club. He is a great football manager. The one thing he has done for this club is he has made us all believe again. Before he came in, we had lost some of our belief.’

Ferguson has closely chartered his progress, from the moment he advised him not to accept the Sheffield Wednesday job while he was still at Preston. It was also during his time at Deepdale that Ferguson opted to employ Steve McClaren as his assistant after he interviewed Moyes for the role.

‘I remember sitting there, jaw open, just wanting to get there and start learning,’ Moyes once said. ‘He was telling me what the job would be, and what was expected, and an opportunity to work with him would have been hard for anyone to turn down.’

Difficult: Bill Kenwright will have to replace Moyes, once overlooked for Steve McClaren as United assistant

Yet that snub did not reflect badly on
his merits. Quite the opposite, in fact. Whenever Everton have visited
Old Trafford, Ferguson would devote large chunks of his programme notes
to saying what a good job he has done. Clearly he can see some of
himself in Moyes.

But how will Moyes cope walking into a squad that is crammed full of internationals who are used to competing at the top end of the game? For a comparison, Ryan Giggs has played in 151 European games, mainly in the Champions League. Moyes has been into Europe as a manager on 26 occasions.

He should not, though, have trouble commanding the respect of the dressing room. For starters, he has the backing of Ferguson but he is his own man and people within the game respect what he has done for Everton. He may not have the trophies but he knows how to win.

Long journey: Moyes held talks with Everton chairman Kenwright, who he has worked with since 2002

New beginning: The news is a blow to new Manchester United boss David Moyes

New era: Moyes is set to come under greater scrutiny than ever

Departing: Moyes left Kenwright's offices, appearing positive, at the end of their meeting

Much to contemplate: Moyes's profile is set to grow even further

Athletic? The Scot's certainly a better mover than Sir Alex Ferguson

Positive: And he has reason to be, although one job may be persuading Wayne Rooney (below) to stay at Old Trafford - the pair had an at-times fractious relationship at Everton

Reunion? Moyes could again work alongside Wayne Rooney, who he brought through at Everton

All he has ever wanted to do was be in a position to compete, yearning to be in the Champions League, which is why there was heavy symbolism at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground yesterday. Moyes took training as normal and no mention was made of his impending departure.

Though he was said to be a little subdued, there were no meetings called or special briefings to the players. At first glance, it could have been an ordinary day, when it was actually something out of the ordinary for Moyes and Everton.

When the Mercedes he was in sped out of Finch Farm at 1.18pm, it felt like an era had just ended. Moyes was on his way to see Kenwright and then watch Tottenham’s game against Chelsea, two clubs vying for the Champions League. Very soon he will simply be vying to be a champion.